Manjushree Abhinav, a film-maker, novelist and teacher, is organizing a course in film and television direction, from concept to screen, with full-day classes on Sundays over 4 months, in Bengaluru. This course has been especially designed for people who passionately want to make feature films, television shows or short films, but can’t spare the time to learn full-time since they work or go to college on weekdays. Manjushree has taught at the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, NID ( National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad), and SRISTI, Bangalore.

This Sunday course organised by Manjushree Abhinav has a great faculty, reasonable fees and a convenient location. It gives people the opportunity to learn film-making without leaving their jobs or studies.

So you can now follow your dreams while taking care of your responsibilities.

COURSE CONTENT

The course has been designed to teach the students the basics of film-making. There is a well-worked-out balance of practicals and theory classes. The topics that would be covered are:

• Creative Writing : Since this course deals with fiction films, we would first tap the biggest reservoir of stories : an unblocked storehouse of memories and emotions. We will also understand the structure of the conflict-resolution story, and we shall dip into the Navarasas.

(You can join the creative writing course of two days, October 1st and 2nd, 11 am to 6 pm on both days, for Rs.2,400/ ) Details of the creative writing syllabus are here: http://storygram.in/2011/08/06/creative-writing-workshop/http://storygram.in/2011/08/06/creative-writing-workshop/

• Scriptwriting: Audiovisual Writing & the Format for Writing the Synopsis, Step-outline, Screenplay and Script for a film or television serial.

• Introduction to Screen Grammar: What is a shot? The editing transitions that can be used to join two shots: Cut, Dissolve, Fade, Wipe, Bleach. The various elements of shot-taking: Image Size, Camera Angles, Camera Movements, Lighting, Camera Speed, Stocks, Graphics, Colour. The Rule of Thirds & the Golden Points. Lenses. Depth of Field and Selective Focus.

• Shot Breakdown

(All the writing classes will have ample writing assignments for the students. These assignments will be either read out in class or feedback will be given over email.)

• Continuity and the Imaginary Line

• Ways of Shooting

• Preparing for a shoot

• Assisting in Direction

• The Elements of Editing : A film is made on two tables, the writing table and the editing table. Pace, rhythm, timing, suspense and surprise: all of these are made or ruined during editing.

• Sound Design

This will be a practical, hands on course, with screenings of film clips of international cinema to illustrate the concepts being taught. The Camera practicals will incorporate the principles of Editing. We will have a professional cameraperson and a professional editor to demonstrate the practical aspects of Cinematography and Editing.

The end result of the course will be a short film made by a group of students, with the help of professionals from the industry.

Manjushree Abhinav’s Film & TV Direction Course is right for you if you are:

• A Newcomer: The course would equip you to enter the Film and Television Industry as an assistant director or to make short films independently.

• A Mediaperson who’s learnt on the job: You would benefit from learning the basics formally and getting your fundas clear.

• A Professional who is already working in the Industry in another capacity: It would help you become a full-fledged director.

• From the Corporate Sector: The course would add to your qualifications since films are a very important medium of corporate communication & advertising.

• Animators will understand film making, which is an important aspect of animation.

The benefits of joining this Film & TV Direction Course are:

• SUNDAY CLASSES: Full-day classes on Sundays, so you can pursue your dreams without forsaking the responsibilities of your work or studies.

• WELL-DESIGNED SYLLABUS: More than 50% of class time would be devoted to hands-on film-making, so that you learn how to transform your ideas into films that light up the silver screen. While the course is practical-oriented, the theory portion would help you develop a sound understanding of the basics of story-telling and film-making. You will also be watching many world class films to appreciate the different aspects of the teaching.

• STUDENT FILM: You would write and direct a short film. The cinematography and editing would be done by professionals from the Industry, which would be a great learning experience. It would also result in a well-made film which you can be proud of and use as your show-reel as well as submit to film festivals.

• CERTIFICATE: You would be given a certificate at the successful completion of the course.

• FILM FESTIVALS: The student films made as part of the course would be sent to film festivals.

• DEMAND FOR FRESH VOICES: The Indian film and television industry is looking for fresh voices. With the diminishing appeal of the formula masala film, there is a demand for out-of-the-box thinking, for directors who understand the art and craft of film-making. It’s a great time to enter the field

TEACHER'S PROFILE

Manushree Abhinav has authored a novel, 'A Grasshopper's Pilgrimage'.

She is a film maker. She has studied at FTII, Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. She has made several documentary films, and taught various aspects of film making like scriptwriting, making documentary films, video editing, at FTII, NID (National Institute of Design), Ahemedabad, Srishti School of Art and Design, Bangalore.

She has also conducted several creative writing workshops at the Times of India Nalanda group, Bangalore, Ahemedabad and Mumbai.

She blogs at www.baktoo.blogspot.com and her website is www.storygram.in.

CONTACT : Please contact 09945192862 OR manjushree.abhinav@gmail.com for more information.

FEE STRUCTURE :The course fees cover the classes, the cost of making the student film, and study material like books and cds. A donation of Rs 250 would be given from every student’s fees to a children’s charity.

There are two plans for paying the fees:

1. It is preferable if the student pays the full amount at the time of registration. The total fees would be Rs 24,700 for this plan.

2. It is also possible for the student to pay in monthly installments, in the form of post-dated cheques (non-refundable) that would be submitted at the time of registration. The fees would work out to Rs 29,700 if the payment is made in installments.

The first installment: Rs 10,700

The second installment: Rs 10,000

The third installment: Rs 9,000

Special discounts for retired, unemployed people and Students is available.

SCRIPTWRITING COURSE : would span across full day classes on six Saturdays or Sundays, from 1st Oct and cost Rs. 6,200/

Creative Writing, The Elements of Scriptwriting: Characterization, Plot, Setting & Theme would be the topics covered in this course. Each topic will have writing assignments to bring home the theoretical aspects taught in the class. Students will learn to write a five minute script in Celtx format.

STUDY MATERIAL :

The students would be given:

•Copies of important books

•Scripts

•Links to useful websites and free scriptwriting software

•CDs & DVDs of some important films

The above fees includes the cost of hiring the shooting equipment, venue rental and faculty remunerations.